The most underrated components
 

I was wondering - What "sleepers" are still out there? Got a favorite?
Shouldn't we C&V'ers scarf them all up before they get discovered (and expensive)?

My vote goes to the Huret Challenger RD.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...2-Green15a.jpg

I'm not going to say anything, I'd rather my favorite parts didn't get any more expensive!

Not to worry - No one is looking here except your C&V buddies.

- And they're C H E A P !

The body is still warm.

I flipped a bike with those challenge derailleurs. You're right; they work great.

I'll try to think of others...

Deore DX - it looks great, it's durable and you can find it inexpensively on parts bikes.

Yes sir.

I just scored a Deore DX for my $100 build.

$5 from an incredible parts hoarder I met at our swap.

Deore is bulletproof.

Most underrated components?

My legs. :)

Another vote for Deore DX 95% of XT, 25% of the price.

The mid-1980 Shimano Z-series. Reasonably priced, nicely finished, works very well, bullet proof.

Old Falcon branded triple front derailleurs. Work fantastic, and you could probably get them at 10 for a buck.

I'm familiar at least with the MTB stuff - and yeah, it's bomb-proof! :thumb:

Uhmmmm......not giving any examples too, because........last time I checked Portland, Oregon still has internet connection....:rolleyes::D

I'd vote for Araya steel rims, if you can find a perfect set.

I believe that these are the smoothest I've ever used in terms of braking, and not too terribly heavy.

Not the MOST underrated, but I have a fetish for Lyotard pedals. They're not smooth, but they are quite durable. There's only one model I know of with a design flaw. It has an aluminum shaft around the spindle. But I don't have that model. I'm hoarding all the Lyotard rat trap pedals I can find. I don't even know why.

I'm finding that a lot of the stuff I like is well regarded and priced accordingly.

Anything tubular and freewheel in the same wheel. Hubs are worth 95% of the whole wheel if they are C-Record , Mavic 501, almost any freewheel wheelset for that matter. Specialized Flag CS's, last generation of Tricolor single pivot brakes , great performance from a single pivot with the tricolor levers. Suntour XC comp brakes and CS's. Winner branded hubs.

Good ones, Fred.

The most underrated components
 

Simplex Prestige derailleurs. Perform well for me. Victim of cycling myth.

But only the rears!
(and more especially when you upgrade the vulnerable OEM pulleys).

Shimano 1050 6-sp indexed. Light, capable, cheap, and polished.

AKA "Shimano 105" Robbie? I would agree.

Mavic 500's are underrated but have a following. I thought they would be easy to find because they are not mentioned that much. Boy howdie did I get a surprize when I did find them. Typically they are priced the same as Campy HF hubs or more. Try to find skewers! Ha!

French bikes because of their non standard dimensions.

Under-rated?
These things! Just ask dddd.
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5426d895.jpg

You and me both. I love 'em.

Suntour XCD - I have a couple 6000 rear derailleurs and they have been flawless for me.

For C&V, old Weinmann brake levers - cheeeeeeap prices, lightweight and they work. Comical of the market value difference vs. old Mafac (and those crazy prices for Mafac hoods...whew!).